UKPOL.CO.UK

Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : Six Trustees Reappointed to National Museums Liverpool [June 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Six Trustees Reappointed to National Museums Liverpool [June 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 14 June 2023.

    The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has reappointed Heather Blyth, Sarah Dean, Paul Eccleson, Rita Mclean, Anthony Wilson to second terms of 3 years and David Flemming for a second term of 4 years.

    Heather Blyth

    Reappointed from 18 May 2023 until 17th May 2026.

    Heather is a member of the House of Memories Steering Group. Heather has brought a very important perspective to the trustee board and has been excellent in her contribution. With her marketing background and significant experience in social media she has made a big contribution to both the House of Memories Steering Group and a range of other activities.

    Sarah Dean

    Reappointed from 01 March 2023 until 28th February 2026.

    Sarah is Chair of the NML Finance & Resources Committee. Her contribution to the trustee board has been excellent. Her leadership of the finance and resources committee has been exemplary and in particular during challenging times of Covid. She brings an astute financial perspective to the board as a very experienced non-executive in terms of constructive challenge.

    Paul Eccleson

    Reappointed from 18 May 2023 until 17th May 2026.

    Paul is Chair of NML’s Audit & Risk Committee. His contribution has been invaluable. Coming from a top-flight private sector commercial background, he has made an outstanding contribution to the Board of Trustees. His leadership of the Audit & Risk Committee has been excellent. With a new risk framework committee now established, Trustees feel confident that they are maintaining good governance.

    David Flemming

    Reappointed from 01 March 2023 until 28th February 2027.

    David is a member of the Audit & Risk Committee. His contribution to the trustee board is excellent. With a wide experience in a range of sectors he has been particularly thoughtful around the development plan, the IT infrastructure and associated issues, and more particularly the general direction of NML.

    Rita Mclean

    Reappointed from 18 May 2023 until 17th May 2026.

    Rita’s considerable experience in collections management and interpretation in the museum sector has been immensely helpful to the trustee board. At the trustee board she makes an excellent contribution across a wide range of issues and her museums sector experience is valuable. She is held in high regard by other colleagues.

    Anthony Wilson

    Reappointed from 18 May 2023 until 17th May 2026.

    Tony’s experience as a partner and very senior lawyer in Liverpool has been welcomed on the board. He makes a valid contribution across a range of issues and is being particularly helpful in development plans with his extensive property development experience.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    Trustees are not remunerated for these roles. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Heather Blyth, Sarah Dean, Paul Eccleson, David Flemming, Rita Mclean, Anthony Wilson have not declared any significant political activity.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State writes to NI Civil Service on sustainable public finances [June 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State writes to NI Civil Service on sustainable public finances [June 2023]

    The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 14 June 2023.

    The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has today (Wednesday 14 June) written to the Permanent Secretaries of all Northern Ireland Civil Service departments to request information and advice on a range of measures.

    The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP has today (Wednesday 14 June) written to the Permanent Secretaries of all Northern Ireland Civil Service departments to request information and advice on a range of measures that could generate further public revenue locally, or otherwise improve the sustainability of public finances in Northern Ireland.

    Using new powers provided through passage of  the Northern Ireland (Interim Arrangements) Act 2023 for the first time, the Secretary of State has requested information on measures such as domestic water charges, drug prescription charges, and tuition fees.

    All of these may be options available to a restored Executive to help to make the budget more sustainable and to ensure public services in NI are affordable on an ongoing basis.

    Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris said:

    “Public finances in Northern Ireland are not currently on a sustainable footing.

    “The UK Government stands ready to work with a restored Executive, but we have a responsibility to ensure the delivery of public services and management of public funds can continue in its absence.

    “I remain firmly of the view that the right people to take these decisions are locally elected and accountable Ministers sitting in a fully functioning devolved government.

    “I once again call on the Executive to get back up and running so that they can progress much needed and long promised public service transformation and address the systemic issues that are facing public services in NI.

    “Simply spending more is not the answer to transforming NI’s public services and does not serve the best interests of the people of NI.”

    In the 2021 Spending Review the Government announced that the total block grant for the Northern Ireland Executive would be £15bn per year, on average, over the next three years. This is the largest settlement since devolution in 1998.

    The UK Government has provided around £7bn in additional funding to Northern Ireland since 2014, on top of the Barnett-based block grant. Northern Ireland Executive public spending per person is around 20% higher than the equivalent UK Government spending in the rest of the UK.

    Through this commission, the Secretary of State is seeking to ensure that work progresses towards a more sustainable budget position in Northern Ireland that better reflects the balance between locally generated revenue and UK Government funding that is happening across the rest of the United Kingdom.

    The Secretary of State will continue to engage with Northern Ireland Civil Service departments on the detail of their responses.Any final decisions for implementation should be taken by Northern Ireland’s elected leaders.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s despicable attacks on civilians are inexcusable – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s despicable attacks on civilians are inexcusable – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 June 2023.

    UK military advisor, Ian Stubbs, says that over 15 months into its illegal invasion, the list of Russia’s accomplishments read like a depraved horror story.

    Thank you, Madam Chair. Once again, Ukrainian civilians have paid the price for Russia’s brutal aggression. Yesterday in Kryvyi Rih at least 11 people were killed and a further 28 injured due to Russia’s large-scale missile attacks. Residential buildings were destroyed, and civilians were trapped under the rubble. Such attacks are inexcusable and demonstrate Russia’s blatant disregard for the lives of civilians.

    The catastrophic collapse of the Kakhovka Dam last week has impacted thousands of Ukrainian citizens. On 11 June, the United Nations estimated that 700,000 people in Kherson region were without access to drinking water. In addition, the collapse of the dam has almost certainly severely disrupted the primary source of fresh water for illegally annexed Crimea. Open-source imagery shows that water has stopped flowing into the intake which feeds the North Crimean Canal, and this will reduce the availability of fresh water in the southern Kherson Oblast and northern Crimea.

    The resulting floodwaters have also caused lasting damage to huge swathes of agricultural land. The Ukrainian Agriculture Association has estimated that Ukraine will lose 14 percent of its grain exports due to the flooding.

    We again express our deepest concern regarding the potential impact of this damage on communities living in the downstream areas, the provision of clean water supplies, the longer-term safety of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and the wider ecological consequences from the destruction of the dam. We call for immediate access for neutral and impartial humanitarian organisations to help those in need wherever they are.

    Multiple reports indicate that Russian shelling has caused death and injuries to civilians during evacuation efforts – this is despicable. We are clear; the destruction of the Kakhovka dam is yet another devastating example of the terrible consequences of Russia’s unprovoked, illegal and full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It is a disaster zone in the middle of a war zone.

    Madam Chair, we repeatedly warned Russia, in this and other fora, that any Russian military incursion into Ukraine would be a massive strategic mistake. Russia ignored those warnings at terrible cost to Ukraine and its own people. Over 15 months into its illegal invasion, the list of Russia’s accomplishments read like a depraved horror story. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians killed; cities and towns laid to waste; evidence of unimaginable atrocities against men, women and children committed. I ask our Russian colleagues, are these the goals of the so-called “Special Military Operation” that they endorse in this room every week? By justifying these actions and supporting them by spreading disinformation and hate-filled vitriol, our Russian colleagues, as professional diplomats, must know they bear responsibility for the lies they peddle to this forum and their own population. Lies cannot live forever.

    Madam Chair, over the last five days, significant Ukrainian operations have taken place in several sectors of eastern and southern Ukraine. In some areas, Ukrainian forces have likely made good progress and penetrated the first line of Russian defences. Russian performance has been mixed; some units are likely conducting credible defence operations while others have pulled back in some disorder with multiple reports of further Russian casualties as they withdraw through their own minefields.

    In Bakhmut, Ukrainian forces continue to exploit weaknesses in Russia’s defensive lines and ambiguity over Russian command and control following the withdrawal of Wagner Group forces. Continued Russian disorder on the battlefield, also seems to be fuelling further dysfunction in the already fraught relationship between Wagner and the Russian Ministry of Defence. On 10 June, Russian Deputy Defence Minister Nikolay Pankov announced that ‘volunteers’ fighting for Russia must sign contracts directly with the Russian Ministry of Defence. Wagner owner Yevgeny Prigozhin immediately announced that his personnel would refuse to sign the contracts.

    It is a telling indictment of the progress of Russia’s so-called “Special Military Operation” that, whilst Ukraine is focused on fighting its barbaric invader, Russia is fighting itself.

    Madam Chair, we do not underestimate the continuing threat posed by the Russian Federation but, in time, there will be cause for Ukraine to celebrate. Ukraine will continue to demonstrate their resolute courage, determination and enduring moral strength as they fight to liberate more of their homeland. The UK and the international community will remain steadfast in our support – we will stand by Ukraine for however long it takes. Our united approach of providing Ukraine with the support it needs to defend itself and push Russia out of Ukraine’s sovereign territory is the swiftest, and only, path to a just and lasting peace. Ukraine will win. Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £54 million boost to develop secure and trustworthy AI research [June 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : £54 million boost to develop secure and trustworthy AI research [June 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 14 June 2023.

    Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Chloe Smith has today announced a series of investments to develop trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) research.

    • £54 million investment to support the UK’s AI and data science workforce and develop trustworthy and secure AI
    • new Geospatial Strategy to drive growth through technologies including AI, satellite imaging, and real-time data
    • new pilot programme backed by up to £50 million in government funding to accelerate new research ventures with industry, philanthropic organisations and the third sector

    Universities across the UK are set to benefit from a substantial £54 million investment in their work to develop cutting edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology, Technology Secretary Chloe Smith announced today.

    Delivered through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), £31 million of the funding will be used to back ground-breaking research at the University of Southampton to establish responsible and trustworthy AI, bringing together the expertise of academia, business, and the wider public to explore how responsible AI can be developed and utilised, while considering its broader impact on wider society.

    The Technology Secretary unveiled the package in a keynote speech at London Tech Week, advancing efforts to secure the UK’s position as a science and tech superpower, fuel economic growth and create better paid jobs. The Tech Secretary also announced the launch of the UK Geospatial Strategy 2030, which will unlock billions of pounds in economic benefits through harnessing technologies including AI, satellite imaging and real-time data.

    Technology Secretary Chloe Smith, said:

    Despite our size as a small island nation, the UK is a technology powerhouse. Last year, the UK became just the third country in the world to have a tech sector valued at $1 trillion. It is the biggest in Europe by some distance and behind only the US and China globally.

    The technology landscape, though, is constantly evolving, and we need a tech ecosystem which can respond to those shifting sands, harness its opportunities, and address emerging challenges. The measures unveiled today will do exactly that.

    We’re investing in our AI talent pipeline with a £54 million package to develop trustworthy and secure artificial intelligence, and putting our best foot forward as a global leader in tech both now, and in the years to come.

    AI developments present enormous opportunities in almost every aspect of modern life, particularly in addressing climate change challenges and pursuing net zero targets. As part of this investment, the remaining £13 million will be used to fund 13 projects based at universities across the UK to develop pioneering AI innovations in sustainable land management, efficient CO2 capture, and improved resilience against natural hazards.

    The commitments follow the announcement in March of £117 million funding for Centres for Doctoral Training in AI, with a further £46 million to support Turing AI Fellowships to develop the next generation of top AI talent.

    In pursuit of the UK’s science and technology superpower ambitions, Chloe Smith has also announced the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology will shortly launch an open call for proposals to pilot new, collaborative approaches to scientific research in the UK, backed by £50 million in government funding. The money will drive investment and partnership with industry and further afield to fund the ideas and innovations which aren’t currently addressed in the UK research sector, and opens in the coming weeks. This will benefit the UK’s research community by allowing organisations to explore the viability of new models for performing research in specific areas, bypassing the large start-up costs normally needed to setup an entirely new institution.

    The UK Science and Technology framework sets out how the UK will respond to emerging and critical technologies. Geospatial technology is one such example, and the new UK Geospatial Strategy, which will launch tomorrow (Thursday 15 June), will drive the use of location data right across the economy including property, transportation and beyond, fuelling growth through innovation.

    Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) said:

    UKRI is investing in the people and technologies that will improve lives for people in the UK and around the world. By supporting research to develop AI that is useful, trustworthy and trusted, we are laying solid foundations on which we can build new industries, products and services across a wide range of fields.

    Working though cross-disciplinary partnerships we will ensure that responsible innovation is integrated across all aspects of the work as it progresses.

    The measures announced today will fuel the government’s mission to make the UK the most innovative economy in the world and build a technology ecosystem which cements the UK’s place at the frontier of global tech development.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of Suffragan Bishop of Thetford [June 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of Suffragan Bishop of Thetford [June 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 14 June 2023.

    The King has approved the nomination of The Venerable Ian Bishop for appointment to the Suffragan See of Thetford.

    The King has approved the nomination of The Venerable Ian Bishop, Archdeacon of Macclesfield, for appointment to the Suffragan See of Thetford, in the Diocese of Norwich, in succession to The Right Reverend Dr Alan Winton, following his retirement.

    Background

    Ian was educated at Portsmouth Polytechnic and trained for ministry at Oak Hill Theological College. He served his title at Christ Church, Purley, in the Diocese of Southwark, and was ordained Priest in 1992. In 1995, Ian was appointed Rector of the Tas Valley Team Ministry, in the Diocese of Norwich.

    In 2001, Ian was appointed Rector of St Michael and All Angels, Middlewich, and St John the Evangelist, Byley, in the Diocese of Chester, and additionally served as Rural Dean for Middlewich from 2004. Since 2011, Ian has served as Archdeacon of Macclesfield.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Transport Secretary bolsters HS2 board to oversee project’s successful delivery [June 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Transport Secretary bolsters HS2 board to oversee project’s successful delivery [June 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 14 June 2023.

    Refreshed leadership team to propel the construction of HS2 while ensuring costs are kept under control.

    • Transport Secretary welcomes 2 new Non-Executive Directors to the HS2 Ltd Board
    • four existing Non-Executive Directors reappointed to remain on the Board, including Special Director Ian King and Deputy Chair Elaine Holt
    • refreshed team will ensure strong leadership is in place to grip costs and drive forward Europe’s largest infrastructure project

    Transport Secretary, Mark Harper has today (14 June 2023) appointed Keith Smithson and Joanna Davinson as new Non-Executive Directors of the HS2 Ltd Board, strengthening its leadership and expertise to successfully deliver Britain’s most transformative rail project.

    The construction of HS2 is already supporting tens of thousands of high-skilled jobs on the project and in the supply chain, and over 1,200 apprenticeships have been created since 2017. Once delivered, it will boost local economies right across the UK, provide a greener alternative to road travel and domestic flights, and leave a skills and innovation legacy for the UK’s future infrastructure projects.

    In their new roles, Keith and Joanna will work alongside HS2 Ltd’s Chair, Sir Jonathan Thompson, to provide oversight and accountability for the revolutionary project, ensuring costs are controlled and the project is delivered in the most effective way for taxpayers.

    Joanna brings extensive knowledge to the role having previously served as the Executive Director of the Central Digital and Data Office at the Cabinet Office.

    Meanwhile, Keith has already held several executive positions at global organisations such as HSBC, Paragon Banking Group and KPMG.

    Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

    I’m delighted to make these updates to the board today and welcome Joanna and Keith to the team.

    They bring with them a wealth of experience and I’m confident the right people are in place to robustly grip costs, hold HS2 Ltd to account and drive forward this revolutionary project, which will positively transform rail travel across the UK for generations to come.

    In addition to the new appointments, Elaine Holt, Deputy Chair, and Ian King, the government’s Special Director on the Board, have been reappointed for a further 4 years. Dame Judith Hackitt and Stephen Hughes have also been reappointed as Non-Executive Directors for a further 3 years.

    This follows Mel Ewell and Roger Mountford recently stepping down from their non-executive roles having completed full terms on the board.

    Sir Jonathan Thompson, HS2 Ltd Chair, said:

    I am delighted to welcome Joanna and Keith to the Board. They further strengthen the expertise and leadership we have on the HS2 Board at a critical time for the programme as we meet the challenges of inflation and delivering the programme in the most cost-effective way.

    They will help ensure HS2 provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to revolutionise the British rail network – providing vital additional capacity, better connect our towns and cities in the midlands and the north, and fuel economic growth and job creation across the country.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Two Commissioners of the Judicial Appointments Commission reappointed [June 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Two Commissioners of the Judicial Appointments Commission reappointed [June 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 14 June 2023.

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the reappointment of The Most Rev Barry Morgan and Judge Greg Sinfield as Commissioners of the Judicial Appointments Commission.

    His Majesty the King, on the advice of the Lord Chancellor, has reappointed 2 Commissioners to the Judicial Appointments Commission.

    Judge Sinfield has been reappointed for a second term of 3 years from 9 June 2023 to 8 June 2026.

    The Most Rev Barry Morgan has been reappointed for a second term of 2 years from 6 July 2023 to 5 July 2025.

    The Judicial Appointments Commission is an independent body that selects candidates for judicial office in courts and tribunals in England and Wales, and for some tribunals with UK-wide jurisdiction. Candidates are selected on merit, through fair and open competition

    Judicial Appointment Commissioners are appointed, under Schedule 12(1) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, by His Majesty the King on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor.

    Commissioner appointments and re-appointments comply with the Governance Code on Public Appointments and are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

    The selection of Senior Judicial Commissioners is governed by the Judicial Appointments Regulations 2013.

    Judge Sinfield

    Judge Greg Sinfield was appointed as a Senior Judicial Commissioner on 9 June 2020. He is President of the First-tier Tribunal (Tax Chamber). Called to the Bar in 1981, Judge Sinfield worked in the Solicitor’s Office of HM Customs and Excise from 1983-87. He returned to private practice, in 1988, with what is now Hogan Lovells International. He was admitted as a solicitor, in 1989, and became a partner in the tax group of the firm in 1993.

    The Most Rev Barry Morgan

    The Most Rev Dr Barry Morgan is Archbishop Emeritus of Wales and is an academic. He was appointed as a Commissioner on 6 July 2020. As well as being Pro Chancellor of the University of Wales, Dr Morgan is: a Fellow of five Welsh Universities; a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales and; a Knight of the Order of St. John. He has published a number of articles, in books and journals, as well as a book on the poetry of R S Thomas.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and Switzerland ink new agreement recognising professional qualifications [June 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and Switzerland ink new agreement recognising professional qualifications [June 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 14 June 2023.

    A new agreement recognising UK professional qualifications in Switzerland is being signed today.

    • UK and Switzerland sign deal recognising professional qualifications in both countries
    • UK-qualified professionals in sectors such as architecture and audit will not have to fully requalify to work in Switzerland
    • Agreement follows launch of talks on a new UK-Swiss trade deal to boost trade between the two services superpowers.

    A new agreement recognising UK professional qualifications in Switzerland will be signed by Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch and Swiss Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin today [14 June], boosting trade between the two countries.

    Proving you have the right qualifications is key to winning contracts in regulated sectors such as law, architecture and audit. Under the agreement, UK-qualified professionals in regulated sectors who wish to have their qualifications recognised in Switzerland will have a certain and transparent system to do so; and vice versa.

    This could allow British companies to compete for more contracts in Switzerland in the long run, boosting UK services exports, growing the UK economy and encouraging Swiss investment into the UK.

    The agreement has been welcomed by industry bodies and stakeholders. It will enter into force at the start of 2025 and replace interim arrangements on RPQ with Switzerland, agreed ahead of the UK’s EU Exit.

    Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

    Supporting our flourishing services sector to sell its world-class expertise abroad is key to helping grow exports and grow the economy.

    Following the start of free trade deal talks last month, this agreement will hopefully ensure UK companies compete for more contracts in Switzerland in the future, boosting UK services exports, and encouraging new Swiss investment into the UK.

    The UK and Switzerland are among the world’s leading service economies, with their services sectors each representing over 70% of GDP for both economies. We traded £24 billion of services between us in 2022, making Switzerland the UK’s 7th largest partner for services trade.

    President of the Law Society of England and Wales Lubna Shuja said:

    Switzerland is the third largest UK legal services export market in Europe, so this deal will benefit not only our members but also the wider economy.

    Legal services facilitate all international business transactions and provide crucial support to UK and multinational firms wanting to export. The sector consistently generates a trade surplus with net exports of UK legal services standing at £5.4bn in 2021.

    Founder and Principal of Studio Seilern Architects Christina Seilern said:

    My upbringing in the Swiss Alps has been instrumental to my career as an architect, which has been rooted in London for nearly two decades and encompasses important public projects and civic interventions in both countries, including recently the major Andermatt Concert Hall at the historical centre of Switzerland.

    As architects, our thinking and our industry are global. This agreement lowers the barriers for us to do our work, and ensures that we can continue to make meaningful contributions to our cities, economies, and communities in Switzerland and the UK.

    This agreement follows the launch of negotiations last month in Bern on a new UK-Switzerland free trade agreement to boost trade between the two services superpowers.

    A new, modernised free trade agreement with Switzerland will add to the UK’s growing armoury of powerful service-focused deals by removing market access barriers, improving regulatory cooperation and enabling UK firms to compete on an equal footing in Switzerland.

    The RPQ agreement also sets out a bespoke route to recognition for certain legal professionals, allowing lawyers to qualify in the other country after registration and a 3-year practise period, subject to conditions set out in the agreement.

    It also safeguards the autonomy of UK regulators to independently set and maintain standards and decide who is fit to practise the profession.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New Second Permanent Under-Secretary in the FCDO [June 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New Second Permanent Under-Secretary in the FCDO [June 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 June 2023.

    Nick Dyer has been appointed the new Second Permanent Under-Secretary in the FCDO.

    The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Permanent Under-Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has today announced that Nick Dyer has been appointed as the new Second Permanent Under-Secretary at the FCDO.

    Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the FCDO said:

    I am delighted Nick has been appointed as the Second Permanent Under-Secretary in the FCDO. He has an outstanding track record, and I look forward to working closely with him to deliver for the UK internationally through our continued diplomatic and development efforts.

    Commenting on his appointment, Nick said:

    Helping to deliver the UK’s international and development ambitions, as Second Permanent Under-Secretary in the FCDO alongside Philip Barton is a real honour. The FCDO is full of the most passionate, committed and brilliant people across the world, and I look forward to working with all our teams.

    Nick is expected to take up post on 3 July.

    Notes

    Nick Dyer is currently Director General, Humanitarian and Development at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

    Nick previously served as the UK’s first Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs, and before that as the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Department for International Development (DFID), where he worked for 23 years, since its creation in 1997.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Ambitious plans to grow the economy and boost creative industries [June 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Ambitious plans to grow the economy and boost creative industries [June 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 13 June 2023.

    Ambitious plans to grow the economy and boost UK creative industries by £50 billion.

    • Government’s plan to grow the creative industries by £50bn and support a million more jobs by 2030, with £77m of new funding for the sector announced
    • Advanced screen and performance technology research labs to be based in Yorkshire, Dundee, Belfast and Buckinghamshire
    • £50m to support more regional creative clusters, plus extra cash for music venues, video games studios, London Fashion Week and the next generation of British music talent
    • Plans to build a pipeline of skills and talent through new creative careers promise

    New plans to maximise the potential of the UK creative industries and grow the economy have been set out by the government today.

    One of the Prime Minister’s priority sectors for economic growth, the creative industries are a global British success story growing at more than 1.5 times the rate of the wider economy over the past decade and contributing £108 billion in gross value added (GVA) annually.

    Employment in these industries has grown at five times the rate of the rest of the economy since 2011. Speaking at the London Tech Week conference on Monday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that Britain’s creative industries were “going like gangbusters” and represent a “unique strength” for the country.

    Developed with industry via the Creative Industries Council, the Creative Industries Sector Vision published today sets out shared ambitions to build on that success and maximise the growth of the creative industries by £50 billion by 2030, creating one million extra jobs and delivering a creative careers promise that builds a pipeline of future talent.

    Framed around the key principles for driving growth – facilitating innovation and investment, alongside building a skilled workforce – the Sector Vision is backed by £77 million in new government investment for the sector.

    The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said:

    The creative industries are a true British success story, from global music stars like Adele and Ed Sheeran to world-class cultural institutions like the National Theatre.

    These industries have a special place in our national life and make a unique contribution to how we feel about ourselves as a country.

    We want to build on this incredible success to drive growth in our economy – one of my key priorities – and to ensure that UK creative industries continue to lead the world long into the future.

    Backed up with significant new funding, this ambitious plan will help grow the sector by an extra £50 billion while creating one million extra jobs by 2030.

    Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:

    The imagination and ingenuity of British designers, producers, content creators, writers and artists are spearheading growth right across our economy.

    The government is backing our creatives to maximise the potential of the creative industries. This Sector Vision is about driving innovation, attracting investment and building on the clusters of creativity across the country. And from first days at school to last days of work, we will nurture the skills needed to build a larger creative workforce to harness the talent needed for continued success.

    Working with the industry this vision is helping the UK creative sectors go from strength to strength – providing jobs and opportunities, creating world leading content and supporting economic growth across the country.

    Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:

    Our Creative Industry isn’t just about the glitz and glam of the red carpet in Leicester Square. It brings in £108 billion a year to help fund our public services, supports over 2 million jobs, and is world renowned.

    That’s why we’re backing it as an industry to drive our economic growth, keeping the UK at the top of the world’s cultural charts with a multi-million pound boost.

    This includes £50 million to grow clusters of creative businesses in locations all over the country, and more funding to help start-ups scale-up and to turn creative entrepreneurs into CEOs.

    New investment will help the next Adele, Ed Sheeran or Sam Smith break into overseas markets, alongside financial support for new video games studios and hundreds of grassroots music venues. The government will continue to offer competitive creative industries tax reliefs to incentivise production of film, TV and video games in the UK.
    This sector vision builds on more than £230 million in government spending on the creative industries since 2021, which includes £75.6 million to build the largest virtual production research and development network in Europe to put the UK at the forefront of advancements in visual effects, motion-capture technology, and AI for the screen industries and live performance. Today the government has announced regional research labs will be based in Yorkshire, Dundee and Belfast with a national lab in Buckinghamshire. The programme will be supported with an additional £63 million investment from industry.

    Alongside investment, the Sector Vision commits the government to a new creative careers promise – a pledge backed by a comprehensive package of actions to open up more opportunities, particularly for young people, to pursue careers in the creative industries.

    Sir Peter Bazalgette, industry co-Chair of the Creative Industries Council said:

    The Creative Industries are coming of age with this ambitious policy framework for economic growth and cultural value. Our Sector Vision, developed jointly with government, champions R&D-led innovation and future skills, drawing on the talent of all our communities. It also promotes positive impact on health & wellbeing, the environment & Britain’s global reach. Helped by the government’s new spending commitments, the work starts now to deliver on this growth agenda.

    Innovation, investment and exports

    • Four new state-of-the-art research and development facilities will be set up to drive the next generation of screen technology and on-set virtual production, with £63 million of new industry investment announced today on top of the government’s £75.6 million investment. UKRI’s Convergent Screen Technologies and performance in Realtime (CoSTAR) programme is expected to create more than 820 new jobs across the UK.
    • The government will invest at least £50 million in the next wave of UKRI’s Creative Industries Clusters programme. This funding will be used to identify and support at least six new clusters specialising in creative subsectors, helping entrepreneurs and businesses in these areas innovate with new technologies, secure investment, and access global markets. It comes as more than 300 creative companies across the UK receive a share of £13 million in government grants today to help them innovate and reach their high growth potential.
    • DCMS will increase the budget of the Create Growth Programme by £10.9 million, bringing it to a total of £28.4 million until 2025. The increased funding will enable it to double the number of regions it covers to twelve and support 2,000 businesses to commercialise their ideas and access resources, knowledge and private investment to scale up – turning today’s creative entrepreneurs into tomorrow’s CEOs.
    • Funding for the Music Exports Growth Scheme, which provides grants to support touring and help emerging musicians break into new global markets, will be expanded to £3.2 million over the next two years. Past recipients include BRIT award winners Wolf Alice, Dave and Catfish and the Bottlemen, as well as Mercury Prize Winners Young Fathers and BRIT Rising Star nominee beabadoobee.
    • DCMS will expand Arts Council England’s highly successful Supporting Grassroots Music Venues Fund, providing an additional £5 million over two years to support around 400 grassroots music venues projects, as the lifeblood of our world-leading music sector and cornerstones of communities.
    • The UK Games Fund will receive a £5 million uplift bringing its total funding to £13.4 million over the next two years. Since 2015 the fund has been developing talent and awarding grants to young video game developers and early-stage studios to turn their drawing board ideas into working prototype games and showcase them to investors. The additional funding will mean it can help maturer start-ups grow their businesses and attract even more private investment into our booming video games industry.
    • Acknowledging UK excellence in holding international showcase events which enhance our soft power and boost creative exports, ministers have agreed new funding of £2 million will go to London Fashion Week for 2023-25 and £1.7 million for the BFI to deliver the London Film Festival 2024.

    Skills and education

    The Sector Vision’s creative careers promise commits the government to working closely with the industry to give young people from all backgrounds more opportunities to participate in creative activities from an early age, in order to build a highly-skilled, productive and inclusive creative workforce. To support these aims, DCMS and the Department for Education will:

    • Publish the Cultural Education Plan later this year, deliver last year’s National Plan for Music Education which includes £25 million for musical instruments, and explore opportunities for enrichment activities as part of the government’s wraparound childcare provision.
    • Work with industry to ensure post-16 technical skills routes work effectively for the creative industries. This will include supporting the rollout of T-Levels in creative subjects and increasing provision and take-up of high quality creative apprenticeships.
    • Support lifelong learning in the creative industries and enable the sector to retain and retrain the existing workforce by working with local and regional partners to maximise the opportunities of Skills Bootcamps and to develop Local Skills Improvement Plans across England.

    Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

    The UK has a global reputation for creating, writing and producing amazing music and the Creative Industries generate over £50 billion in exports for the UK economy and are a key driver for UK growth. The Department for Business and Trade is committed to championing our world class artists and businesses around the world by doubling creative trade missions and expanding support for exporters in the creative industries.

    UK Research and Innovation Creative Industries Sector Champion, Professor Christopher Smith, said:

    The creative industries are a UK success story, key to the UK’s prosperity, wellbeing and resilience. From design to screen, fashion and textiles to heritage, they are generating high-quality employment and innovation.

    UKRI’s creative industries investments, including CoSTAR, Creative Catalyst and the Creative Industry Clusters Programme, will catalyse the research and innovation that are crucial for this fast-growing and important sector.

    The creative industries are now firmly embedded in the research and development ecosystem, ensuring that the UK remains a genuine world leader in the industries of the future.

    Caroline Norbury OBE, Chief Executive, Creative UK & Creative Industries Council member

    The UK Government’s Sector Vision recognises and cements the Creative Industries’ immense capacity for growth, and rightly prioritises much-needed investment in the sector. Creative UK, our members, and colleagues across the Creative Industries, stand ready to further unleash the power of creativity, so that together we can drive inclusive growth across all parts of the UK.

    BRIT Awards Rising Star nominee beabadoobee said:

    The funding from the Music Export Growth Scheme came at a great point in my career and gave me a helping hand. I’m happy to know the scheme is being extended and more money will be coming into music to help even more new artists breakthrough. This will all help in building artists fanbases in the UK and around the world.